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The Worst Episodes of 30 Rock

Every episode of 30 Rock ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of 30 Rock!

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Liz Lemon, the head writer for a late-night TV variety show in New York, tries to juggle all the egos around her while chasing her own dream.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    30 Rock Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.2/10(2284 votes)

    S1:E1

    Liz Lemon is the head writer on a demanding, live TV program in New York City. However, things begin to get complicated when her new boss insists that a wild and unpredictable movie star joins the cast.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Tina Fey

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  2. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 20 - Queen of Jordan II: Mystery of the Phantom Pooper
    7.2/10(903 votes)

    S6:E20

    Angie brings "Queen of Jordan'' back to TGS. News about Avery forces Jack to confront his feelings for her mother, and Liz finds herself in a feud.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writers:Tracey Wigfield, Luke Del Tredici

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  3. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 4 - Jack the Writer
    7.4/10(1698 votes)

    S1:E4

    Liz struggles to keep Jack out of the writers' room and Kenneth soon learns that working for Tracy may be more than he expected.

    Directors:Adam Bernstein, Gail Mancuso
    Writers:John Riggi, Robert Carlock

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  4. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 11 - Winter Madness
    7.4/10(986 votes)

    S4:E11

    Hoping to boost staffers' spirits, Liz takes TGS on the road, but Jack takes over for his own reasons, and the staff find reasons to blame Liz for all that's wrong in their lives.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Vali Chandrasekaran

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  5. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 18 - Khonani
    7.4/10(930 votes)

    S4:E18

    Liz discovers that the TGS staff have been excluding her from their weekly hangouts, and strives to prove that she can be fun. Jack must choose between janitors and the shift time they both want, and Kenneth aids Tracy Jordan in being a good husband.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Vali Chandrasekaran

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  6. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 13 - Grandmentor
    7.4/10(794 votes)

    S6:E13

    Liz struggles in her new role as mentor to Hazel. Kenneth has a difficult time letting go of his page duties and takes drastic measures to make sure Tracy is taken care of. Meanwhile, Jack and Jenna come up with a plan to get Avery back in the headlines.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Sam Means

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  7. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 15 - The Shower Principle
    7.4/10(758 votes)

    S6:E15

    A curse strikes TGS. Liz dares to be different after realizing that the same things happen every year, and Jack vows to wow Hank Hooper.

    Director:Stephen Lee Davis
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 2 - The Aftermath
    7.5/10(1895 votes)

    S1:E2

    Now that major changes have occurred on the The Girlie Show, Liz struggles to bring everyone and everything together. However, despite his erratic behavior, Tracy manages to bring everything to order.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Tina Fey

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  9. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 17 - Queen of Jordan
    7.5/10(1214 votes)

    S5:E17

    Angie's reality show visits "TGS", resulting in a red-faced situation for Jack, Jenna pining for attention, and Liz leading a scheme to lure Tracy back from Africa. Meanwhile, Frank reconnects with a lost love.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 19 - I Heart Connecticut
    7.5/10(846 votes)

    S5:E19

    As cancellation looms for "TGS", Liz snoops with Kenneth to find a missing Tracy. Meanwhile, Jack works his magic to ensure the financial success of Jenna's newest endeavor; and an emasculated Pete organizes a manly contest for the writers and crew.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Vali Chandrasekaran

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  11. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 10 - Alexis Goodlooking and the Case of the Missing Whisky
    7.5/10(800 votes)

    S6:E10

    In order to hide his relationship with Lynn, Frank convinces his mother that he is dating Liz. Tracy and Jenna team up to try to solve the case of Pete's missing whisky. Meanwhile, Jack teaches Kenneth how to take down his first business nemesis.

    Director:Michael Slovis
    Writer:John Riggi

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  12. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 16 - Nothing Left to Lose
    7.5/10(755 votes)

    S6:E16

    Tracy regains his sense of smell and finds an unusual father figure in Liz, while the writers spark a prank war with Jenna.

    Director:John Riggi
    Writers:Lauren Gurganous, Nina Pedrad

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  13. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 17 - Meet the Woggels!
    7.5/10(785 votes)

    S6:E17

    Jack's mom upstages his ribbon-cutting ceremony. Meanwhile Jenna hooks up with a "rock star" and Tracy frets about his son heading to college.

    Director:Linda Mendoza
    Writer:Ron Weiner

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  14. 30 Rock Season 7 Episode 1 - The Beginning of the End
    7.5/10(825 votes)

    S7:E1

    The "TGS" gang returning from hiatus, only to be shocked by Jack's awful fall programming lineup. Meanwhile, bridezilla Jenna taps Liz to be her maid of honor, and Tracy is invited to a dinner party by Kenneth and Hazel.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Jack Burditt

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  15. 30 Rock Season 7 Episode 5 - There's No I in America (2)
    7.5/10(782 votes)

    S7:E5

    Realizing that Jenna could decide the Presidential election, Liz and Jack stage a debate to win her support and her followers. Kenneth turns to Tracy for advice on how to be an informed voter, while Pete tries to recreate the magic of the 2008 election.

    Director:John Riggi
    Writers:Dylan Morgan, Josh Siegal

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  16. 30 Rock Season 7 Episode 6 - Aunt Phatso vs. Jack Donaghy
    7.5/10(767 votes)

    S7:E6

    Tracy and Jack engage in a battle of wits after Tracy depicts Jack as a villain in his latest project. On Jack's advice, Liz puts her own needs ahead of those of "TGS." Meanwhile, Jenna tries to shield Kenneth from Hazel's manipulation but her own selfishness gets in the way.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Luke Del Tredici

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  17. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 6 - Jack Meets Dennis
    7.6/10(1594 votes)

    S1:E6

    After Liz takes her ex-boyfriend, Dennis, back simply because he asks, Jack takes it upon himself to mentor her as he thinks that she is leading a life of mediocrity. Meanwhile, Tracy gets a tattoo in the face, Jenna gets botox and collagen injections, and Josh is given two black eyes by an angry Liz Taylor.

    Directors:Juan José Campanella, Don Scardino
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock

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  18. 30 Rock Season 2 Episode 3 - The Collection
    7.6/10(1318 votes)

    S2:E3

    Jack hires his own private investigator to lead GE in the wrong direction so that they will not be able to find any dirt on him that might put him in a compromising position. However, when he is asked to give up his cookie jar collection, Jack finds the task too much of a challenge. Meanwhile, Angie announces that she will follow Tracy at all times to keep him in line, which Liz believes to be good until she covers for Tracy and gets on Angie's bad side. Finally, Jenna starts to worry once she starts to lose all the weight she gained over the summer and her popularity begins to hang on the line.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Matt Hubbard

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  19. 30 Rock Season 2 Episode 12 - Subway Hero
    7.6/10(1219 votes)

    S2:E12

    Dennis becomes a New York City celebrity after jumping in front of a train and saving someone who fell on the tracks. Meanwhile, Jack desperately tries to persuade Tracy to become the celebrity face of the Republican Party.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock

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  20. 30 Rock Season 3 Episode 17 - Cutbacks
    7.6/10(1064 votes)

    S3:E17

    Despite the 50th episode of TGS airing, everyone is preoccupied with news of budget cuts. Jack has to dole out cutbacks while Kenneth has to take on extra duties. Meanwhile, Liz tries to save her staff and crew and Jenna and Tracy try to uncover Kenneth's secret.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Matt Hubbard

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  21. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 12 - Verna
    7.6/10(988 votes)

    S4:E12

    Jenna's mother comes to visit, and she looks to Jack to help. Frank moves in with Liz as a boarder, and they decide to aid one another stop some bad habits.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Ron Weiner

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  22. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 19 - Argus
    7.6/10(920 votes)

    S4:E19

    Wedding fever hits TGS, leaving Liz to sort out Grizz's dilemma when both Tracy and Dot Com want to be his best man. Jenna's new boyfriend, Paul, raises Liz and Pete's suspicions, while Jack is finally forced to deal with the death of his mentor, Don Geiss, when Geiss leaves him a strange but meaningful inheritance.

    Director:Jeff Richmond
    Writers:Dylan Morgan, Paula Pell

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  23. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 9 - Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish
    7.6/10(905 votes)

    S5:E9

    Jack recommends that Liz start seeing a therapist when she worries that Carol is getting bored with their relationship. In an attempt to take Jack's advice, Liz begins talking to Kenneth about her problems. Jack also finds himself caught up in one of Tracy's schemes when Tracy tries to convince him to invest in his son's theme restaurant in Times Square. Meanwhile, Jenna and Paul celebrate their six month anniversary.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writer:Kay Cannon

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  24. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 23 - Respawn
    7.6/10(850 votes)

    S5:E23

    The "TGS" crew anticipate their summer vacation. Liz lands in the Hamptons for some rest and relaxation, but she gets the summertime blues when Tracy moves in next door. Elsewhere, a lonely Jack latches onto Kenneth for company; and Jenna's new job impacts her relationship with Paul.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writers:Hannibal Buress, Ron Weiner

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  25. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 12 - St. Patrick's Day
    7.6/10(818 votes)

    S6:E12

    Jack feels unworthy of his latest award and attempts to redeem himself by taking on the writers in a strategic board game. Liz believes she's cursed on St. Patrick's Day when her ex-boyfriend Dennis shows up to derail her relationship with Criss. Meanwhile, Hazel struggles to keep the peace between Tracy and Jenna.

    Director:John Riggi
    Writer:Colleen McGuinness

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Pilot" is the worst rated episode of "30 Rock". It scored 7.2/10 based on 2284 votes. Directed by Adam Bernstein and written by Tina Fey, it aired on 10/11/2006. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Queen of Jordan II: Mystery of the Phantom Pooper".